Shimga(Holi) Festval in Konkan – Kawad

The word 'Holi' originated from 'Holika' sister of Hiranyakashipu. Who tried to killed son of Hiranyakashipu Pralhad. 

Holi ,we pray to holika ot get rid of all troubles from us and make everyone happy.

Hiranyakashipu

In Konkan People decorate their houses with paintings and also make various floral designs on the entra

nce of their homes. Family members, friends and relatives exchange greetings and gifts between each other.
People decorate their houses with paintings and also make various floral designs on the entrance of their homes. Family members, friends and relatives exchange greetings and gifts between each other.

 Here people celebrate this festival in such a way that GOD arrives at our own house. The villagers here celebrate Holi with God in a Palkhi and bring it everyone’s house so that they together can pray for the wellbeing of the families.

Shimga is one of the popular festivals in maharashtra. It is celbrated on full moon day of Marathi Month of Phalgun which usually comes in the month march. Dancing with Palkhi is a ritual at the time of Shimga (holi) festival. This is popular in Ratnagiri district of Konkan region and is celebrated by all people irrespective of age, caste and creed. Shimga is celebrated in the period between the months of February and March after the holi celebration.

Shimga is celebrated according to each village tradition in Konkan from 5 to 15 days. It is the festival of color called Dhuliwandan in next day of Holi. The day of the Shimga Festival is celebrated with widespread enjoyment and fanfare. People enjoy to the fullest by throwing colored powder and water at each other all over the day. The colors are made of natural products like Neem, Kumkum, Haldi and herbal recipes which are considered to have a medicinal effect on the diseases like viral fever and cold etc. Shimga also supports to keep environment pollution free.

The day of the Shimga festival is also marked by wide spread processions and carnivals. On this occasion villagers take the charge to enjoy the festival by dancing on street by wearing traditional dresses. his is pre-Holi festival celebrated by villagers in Goa to bid farewell to winter and welcome spring. A colorful procession bearing deities on floats starts from the temples in the evening. The parade winds through the streets of Panjim to the sound of drums, flutes and folk songs. It comes to a halt only in the early hours of the morning.

Now a days some village areas becoming urban and you can see that this tradition is not followed as it was previous but in some towns in konkan still they celebrate with full of joy like Kodavali in Rajapur Ratanagiri is small place near Rajapur bus depot surrounded with beauty of river and scenery, temples.

Villages used to do all dramas, dance in whole nights and be enthusiastic 

throughout

Click for more details :  Ratnagiri : Kavad At Konkan Shimgostav